Total revenue for fairground operations were $6.5 million in fiscal 2016, up from $6 million the previous year.

Part of the increased revenue was the result of record attendance figures for April’s Pima County Fair, which saw more than 318,000 visitors.

Fair revenue increased in 2016 to $5.2 million, up from $4.9 million in 2015.

In addition to the annual Pima County Fair, the Southwest Fair Commission also manages numerous private events held at the fairgrounds. These include: livestock and horse events; concerts; exhibitions; RV shows; and private parties and weddings.
The Commission also oversees the lease agreements for fairground properties like Tucson Speedway and the Tucson Dragway.

“The Fairgrounds has grown into the region’s most diverse special event facility,” said Tom Moulton, Director of Pima County Attractions and Tourism.

The management team continues to create new and exciting entertainment possibilities while upgrading the infrastructure to handle the increasing demand.

The Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc., is a non-profit, private corporation, the County established in 1975 to operate the fairgrounds and the Pima County Fair.

All profits earned from operations of the Fairgrounds and annual Pima County Fair are put back into facility improvements. Over the years, the commission has made over $5 million in facilities improvements.

In August, Pima County announced the Fair Commission would conduct nearly $1 million worth of facilities improvements at the fairgrounds.

Included among these are improvements to the 61,000-square-foot Old Pueblo Hall building and the addition of 100 full RV hook-up spaces, and an office facility for the RV park with laundry, restrooms and showers.